Game apparatus



July 7, 1959 F. E. TARTE, JR

. GAME APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 31, 1953 a? m NJI IN'VENTOR FRANKLIN E. TARTE.

BY HIS ATTORNEYS W6? J y 7, .1959 F. E. TARTE, JR 2,893,734

. GAME APPARATUS Filed July 31, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FRANKLIN E.TARTE JR.

BY HISAATTORNEYS fiwdofl/d July 7, 1959 F,L..E. TARTE, JR 2,893,734

GAME APPARATUS Filed July: 31, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN'TOR FRANKLIN E.'TARTE JR.

BY HIS ATTORNEYS y 7, 1959 F. E. TARTE, JR 2,393,734

GAME APPARATUS Filed July 51, 1953 4 SheetsSheef 4 H6. l2 BASKET SWITCHES-58 PUSH BUTTO SWITCH U SCORE COUNT ER S FLOOR opzNmc SWITCHES 1a 7 FOUL. SWITCHES-68*6Q FOUL COUNTER-36 l 'veNToR FRANKLIN E. TARTE,JR.

BY HIS ATTORNEYS QUARTER mmcm-mcuwps United States Patent GAME APPARATUS Franklin E. Tarte, Jr., Media, Pa. Application July 31, 1953, Serial No. 371,545 Claims. (Cl. 273-85) This invention relates to games or amusement devices of the type which are generally characterized in that each player strives to make scoring plays, each of which has a certain value. More particularly, the invention relates to a game device simulating the game of basketball.

One object of the present invention is to provide a game device which affords sport, recreation and amusement for persons of all ages desirous of developing or exercising their skill in throwing balls in an accurate manner at fixed targets or receptacles and having the results of their throws register automatically before them.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game of this character which is well adapted for use in public places in the same way that the games of darts and shufileboard are commonly used. If desired, the device may be adapted for coin operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel game apparatus wherein a plurality of electric switches are individually operable by scoring plays made by the players, the score of each player or team being automatically totalized by a counter assigned to that player or team.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel game apparatus which simulates the game of basketball in that each player tosses a ball toward a basket, each basket having an associated means whereby each ball that passes through the basket will cause a score to be registered and totalized on a particular counter assigned to the player.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel basketball game apparatus wherein each basket receptacle unit is provided with a means for registering fouls or inaccurate tosses, such fouls being registered and totalized on a foul register or counter.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a game apparatus according to the present-invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the foul marker insert;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through the foul counter; I

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a front view of one of the target units;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the backboard mounting plate for one of the target units; and V Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical circuits employed in the apparatus.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the game apparatus as shown comprises a table 10 which is preferably of rectangular form and which has supporting legs 11. Spaced rearwardly from the front end of the table is a forwardly declined floor 12 which simulates a basket ball playing floor and which is preferably surrounded by an enclosure designated generally by reference numeral 13 to retain balls thereon in the course of the playing of the game. At the rear of the enclosure is a basket supporting struc ture 14 having at least one, and preferably several, baskets mounted thereon, in the present instance there being four baskets designated 15 to 18. Associated with the baskets are stationary backboards 19 to 22, and associated with the backboards are foul members 23 to 26 which serve a purpose to be described later.

At the front or playing end of the table 10 there are provided a plurality of score counters 27 to 30. Although four counters are shown, any desired number may be provided. These counters serve to totalize the scores of the respective players or teams, as hereinafter described. At the front end of the table is a selector switch unit 31 having push-button selector switches 32 to 35 corresponding to the score counters and by means of which the score counters are rendered operative selectively, as hereinafter described.

A foul counter 36 is also provided at the forward portion of the table 10, and the purpose of this counter is to count and totalize foul throws made by each player or team when thrown balls strike the foul member associated with the basket at which the player or team is shooting. In connection with the foul counting feature of the apparatus, there is also preferably provided a simulated foul shot zone marking 37, and provision is made for causing the marking 37 to be illuminated whenever a foul count appears on the counter 36, and to remain illuminated as long as any foul count appears on the counter.

With four baskets employed, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, each basket may represent a playing quarter of a basket ball game, and each player or team may have a certain number of shots at each basket representing the play during a particular quarter of the game. The baskets may be numbered as indicated, and the quarter in the process of being played may be indicated by selective illumination of indicating windows 38 to 41. For this purpose, a four position selector switch 42 is provided on the forward portion of the table to selectively energize lamps associated with the indicating windows 38 to 41.

A further optional feature of the apparatus resides in the provision of a number of openings in the simulated playing floor 12 through which the balls may roll, and with each throw through a basket representing a score of two points corresponding to a field goal in basket ball, the passage of a ball through one of the floor apertures may represent a score of one point. As described hereinafter, provision is made for using the score counters 27 to 30 to score these single point scores. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four floor openings 43 to 46 and the scoring arrangement is such that a ball passing through any of the floor openings will actuate the counter that is in use at the time. This additional feature adds an element of chance to the game, as it will be apparent that the passage of a ball through a floor opening is a matter of chance. In further simulation of the game of basket ball, the passage of a ball through one of the floor openings may be regarded as representing commission of a foul by the other player or team, and the floor openings may be labeled to represent different fouls such as holding, pushing, tripping, etc.

Fig. 2 shows the construction of the table for return of thrown balls to the front end of the table. A ball rolling down the slightly declined floor 12 may roll all the way to the front edge of the floor and drop through the space 47 onto the slightly declined baseboard 48, and then roll forwardly through the slot opening 49 into a collecting trough 50 at the front of the table. Convergent guides, one of which is shown at 51 in Fig. 1, may serve to guide balls toward the opening 49. Should a ball 7 amass drop through one of the floor openings 43 to 46, it will fall onto the declined baseboard 48 and roll forwardly to the collecting trough. It will be seen that in the illusat d. m ment h mo ntin Pena Sam: the ario evice t he rw rd o Qff he ab e ls s e as the top oi the return passage for the balls.

Re er n n to F 8 6 h hsbask ts aay be ou ed directly in he u or 4 and ach asic; boardmay comprise a metal plate 54 '(see Fig, 10) hay ing side flanges 55 and tabs 56'whichextendthrough slots in the support 14. and are bent behind the support't'o hold the plate 54 rigidly thereon. A resilient facing '57 or" rube: r like. a e i m y h mente to hs'metal Pla 54- a e with ea h asket s a su ts unit. m u tsd a a ra ket whi h l e tsd .P atef 4. s y. me ns of iv t 40- e lw t hunififi. arri a i r n 1 h oushl hisha ll ma n e-$1 T e tqhw comprises two rrticro-switches 62 and 63 having "assoiatqi spring a m 6 nd .5, t re en a ie iv l he l n m m r o e as s it h s 6 and "63 in succession.

' The foul member associated with each backboard preferably is in the form of an inverted U so as to border the baekboard'at the top and sides thereof Thus, in Figs. 8 #1 5 9 he u ember 23 ord r the o and sides o e backboard 19. The foul member is pivotally mounted at the'lower ends of its sides on pins 66 which extend through side flanges 55 of the metal plate 54. The foul member is preferably formed of translucent material such as a plastic material, and it is urged forwardly by a spring arm 67 which'forms part of a switch includii g a contact 68 'on the upper end of arm 67, and' a stationaiy contact 69 mounted on support 14. The upper edge Qf'plate 5.4 is turned as at 70 toserve as a stop for the foul member. A ball striking the foul member causes it to move backward against the action of spring arm 67, thereby momentarily closing contacts 68 and 69 to effect operation of the foul counter as hereinafter described. Breferably, a lamp 71 is mounted on supportlfi by means of a supporting bracket 7 2, andis energized by closure of contacts 68 and 69 to momentarily illuminate the translucent foul member 2 3 which may have the word foul thereon, as shown in Fig. 8 While each foul member is preferably pivotally mounted as illustrated and described, any at rangement may be employed whereby the strikingof the foulmember by a ball will effect the desired operation.

'As previously mentioned, each of the respective score counters 27, to 3}}, when in operation, is. actuated in response to a ball passingthrough the basket in play or any floor opening. Moreover, the counter is, actuated twice by reason of the two switches associated with' each basket. Thus, assuming that counter 27 'is in operation; and that balls are being thrown at basket 15, a ball passing through this basket, as shown in 'Figs. 8 and 9, will actuate the counter twice by successive operation of the switches 62 and 63. As also mentioned p'reviously, the counter will be operated once by a ball passing through any floor. opening, As shown in Fig. 2, each floor bpening has associated with it a switch 73 mountedon a bracket '74 secured to the floor 12. Momentary closure of the switch 73 effects a single operation of theoperative counter.

The score counters 27 to 30 may besimple resettable counters of electromagnet type. Thus, each counter may comprise an electromagnetically-operable ratchet mecb anism operable against the action of a spring tending to return the ratchet to zero or homeposition, anda holding pawl to prevent return of the ratchet until manual release of the holding pawl. The present invention is not concerned with the specific construction of the score counters, and further description thereof is unnecessary.

The foul counter 36may take the form shown in Figs. 6- and 7, which has provision for closing an indicating lamp circuit, .as, hereinafter described, as long as the counter dial is out of the home or zero position, i;e. as 92s a her is ulsc rs ea heqnumer. Referrin to Figs. 6 and 7, in the form shown the foul counter comprises'a casing '75 disposed in'an opening in panel 53 and secured thereto as by means of a plurality of brackets, one of which appears at 76. Within the casing 75 is a rotatable shaft 77 having one end journaled in bearing 78 and having its other end supported in the hub portion 79 of a rotatable plate 80, thehub portion 79 being journaled in bearing 81. Shaft 77 is rotated through an actuating arm 82 whigh is lined to the shaft and which extends into a reeess 83 of an armature 3 4 actuated by solenoid 85. Also fixed to shaft 77 is an arm '86 which pivoially arri R u wh sh s ias d b in The shaft 77 is oscillated baok and forth by repeated energization of solenoid 85 whose armature is biased by spring 89, and the consequent movement of pawl 87 steps ratchet 90 which is fixed to plate 80. Plate 80 is provided with apertures corresponding in number to the numa h t eet 1 and e Pla e is ndex i n a jo' it na wh h t mo d by ats by means f t n a 96, ea e n ur Ran-i de 0. casing 75 andbiased b'yfspring 98 into engagement with plate'80. A translucent drum dial 99 is carried by plate 80, being secured to anannular flange 100 on saidplate, and the dial is provided with numbers representing the foulcount. A window 101 is provided in the casing 75, through which the foul count is visible. Preferably, a lamp 102 is provided in association with the window 101 to illuminate the translueent dial, the lamp socket 193 being mounted on a bracket 104 secured to the casing. The counter is resettable to the zero or home position by me n Qi. a manua ly s ab e kn 0.5 which s .01 1 nected through a short rotatable shaft 106 to a bear 107 that'meshes with a gear 108 on plate 80. By rotating knob 111 5,- so asto rotate plate 80 in the same direction as it is ant d y heawland ra ch e .di l is moved to zero p s n-- As previously mentioned, it is desired that the foul mar-l ef 37 (Big. 1 shall be illuminatedwhenever there is any count on the foul counter. The marker 37 may PYQPIlS fiR' nsert .11 as ho n in g o mo t in an opening in the floor 12, andtheinsert may comprise a ra slussn m mb r d p que m ers 111. 112. and 113, defining the foulmarker 37. One or more lamps 111 may be providedin anv opaque housing 115 below thefonlmarker toilluminate the latter.

Provision is made within the foul counter 36 (Figs. 6 andjl ct a test n n r iz i n f lamps 11 prefer ably, also lamp 102, whenever the dial of the counter is move dfrom zero or home position. A micro-switch 116 ismounted; within casing 75011 a supporting bracket 117. This switch is spring-biased to the open position, and its actuating element 118 is disposed for engagement by the ratehet 90. An. aperture119 is provided in ratchet 90 in a position such as when the ratchet is in the home position theaperture119 is aligned with element 118 and switch 116 is permitted to open. However, when the ratchet- 90, moves away from the home position it actuateselement, 118v to close switch 116. The switch is connected. in circuit with lamps 102 and 114 so as to energize. thelarnps whenever it is closed.

Reterring now to Fig. 11, the electrical supply conductors for the electrical system are shown at 12.0 and 121, it being understood that these conductors are connected to a suitable, source of. electrical supply. The score counters 27. to 30 are. connected to the basket switches, through connection 122, and are also connected to the floor opening switches through connection 123. Both groupsofi switches are connected to the supply conductor 121. The push-button selector switches 32v to 35 are connected between the score counters 27 to 30 and the supply. conductor 120. These switches serve to establish a circuit connection through any one of the score counters. The. push-button switch unit 31 is, of

' the typecommonly employed in radio receivers em:

bodying. puslabutton Such. a unit includes a latch bar 124 which is common to all of the switches and which is biased by a spring (not shown) toward a latching position. Owing to the mannerof illustration in Fig. 11, with the push-button switches shown one above another rather than horizontally aligned, the latch bar 124 appears in four places but it is actually a single element common to all of the switches. When anyone of the push-buttons is depressed, the switch is latched in closed position and at the same time any previously closed switch is released by camming of the latch bar 124 by the push-button members. Since devices of this character are 'well known, the simple illustration and the above description are sulficient for the present purpose. While it is practical to connect the score counters directly in circuit with the basket switches and the floor opening switches, as shown in Fig. 11, it is preferred to utilize a relay for operation of the foul counter through closure of the foul switches. Since the basket switches and the floor opening switches are closed by a ball passing through a basket or a floor opening, the time of closure of these switches is suflicient to actuate the operative score counter. However, the foul switches are closed by momentary impact of a ball against one of the vertical foul members, and the time of closure of the foul switches may not be suificient for direct operation of the foul counter. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 11, the foul switches are connected in circuit with the winding 125 of a relay 126 which is of the instantaneous pickup-delay dropout type. The normally open relay contacts 127 are connected in circuit with the solenoid 85 of the foul counter 36. Whenever one of the foul switches closes, the relay closes its contacts to energize the solenoid 85, and the relay contacts remain closed for a sutlicient time interval to insure operation of the foul counter. It should be noted that this time interval, while appreciable, is very short and may be of the order of about two seconds.

As may be seen in Fig. 11, the switch 116 within the foul counter 36 is included in circuit with the lamps 102 and 114, the lamps being connected in parallel relation. As described above, switch 116 is closed only when a foul count appears on the foul counter.

The quarter indicating lamps 128, which are disposed behind the respective quarter indicating windows shown in Fig. 1, are connected in circuit with the manual selector switch 42.

As previously mentioned, with the form of the game shown, employing four baskets each representing a different quarter or period of a game, the players or teams of players may be allowed a certain number of shots at each basket. In making the shots at a particular basket or in scoring a goal through a floor opening, the score of each player or team of players will be automatically totalized on the scoring counter which is in use. In using the game apparatus as illustrated, therefore, each player or team in turn depresses the push-button of their respective counter and then proceeds to carefully toss the balls toward the baskets in the order of the four indicated quarters. In the illustration of Fig. 11, push-button switch 32 is closed and counter 27 is ready for operation whenever a ball passes through the basket 15 and closes one of the switches 58 or passes through one of the floor openings 43 to 46 and closes one of the switches 73. During the play of each player or team in any quarter, each basket goal scored will be registered on the operative score counter as two points and each time a ball passes through a floor opening, an additional point will be registered on the counter.

During the play of each player or team, foul shots will be registered on the foul counter 36. Each foul shot may count one point in favor of the other players or teams or each foul shot may entitle the other players or teams to an additional free shot at a basket. At the end of the play by each player or team, the foul count on the foul counter will indicate the number of points to be awarded to the other players or teams or the numher of free shots to be taken by the other players or teams. As soon as these free foul shots are taken or awarded to opposing players or teams, the foul counter is reset to zero in order to be in the correct position for the next player or team.

From theforegoing description, it will be seen that the invention provides a game which affords recreation and amusement and is also conducive to development of skill on the part of the players. While a particular form; of the invention has been illustrated and described, this is merely for the purpose of disclosure and is not intended to limit the invention which contemplates such other embodiments and modifications as may occur to persons skilled in the art. Moreover, while the device illustrated has four baskets, it is within the purview of the invention to provide a single basket with an associated foul member. 'It will be apparent also that the balls may be thrown by a mechanical device instead of directly by the players.

I claim:

1. In a basketball game apparatus, at least one basket constituting a target with a horizontally disposed opening, a vertical rectangular backboard positioned proximate to said basket, a foul member of inverted U shape bordering the top and sides of said backboard and pivoted at the lower ends of its sides so that it provides a generally planar vertically arranged surface positioned to bestruck by an inaccurately thrown ball, and means operable by a ball striking the surface of said foul member to indicate that a foul throw has been made.

2. In a basketball game apparatus, a simulated playing floor, at least one basket with a horizontally arranged opening and associated vertically arranged backboard, a foul member mounted adjacent to said backboard in position to be struck by a ball which would strike outside the bounds of the backboard, a translucent simulated foul line marker on said floor, normally-open switch means arranged for actuation by said foul member when the latter is struck by a ball, an electrically-operable counter controlled by said switch means to totalize foul throws striking said foul member, said counter including an indicator dial movable from zero position, a lamp mounted beneath said foul line marker, a switch on said counter in circuit with said lamp, and means to elfect opening of said switch when said dial is in zero position and closure of said switch when said dial moves from zero position, whereby said foul line marker is illuminated whenever a foul count appears on the counter dial.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, further including a lamp in the counter controlled by said switch to illuminate the counter dial whenever a foul count appears thereon.

4. In a basketball game apparatus, a floor having at least one opening therein of a size to permit passage of a playing ball, at least one basket mounted at one end of said floor to serve as a primary target at which balls are tossed, a pair of parallel connected switches arranged to be actuated successively by a ball passing through the basket, a single switch arranged to be actuated by a ball passing through said floor opening, the passage of a ball through said basket representing a field goal by the player who tossed the ball, and the passage of a ball through said floor opening representing a foul committed by an opponent, means connecting said last-mentioned switch in parallel relation with said first-mentioned switches, an electrically operable counter, and means connecting said counter in circuit with all of said switches, whereby said counter is operated twice when a ball passes through said basket and is operated once when a ball passes through said floor opening.

5. In a basket ball game apparatus, a floor having at least one opening therein of a size to permit passage of a playing ball, at least one basket mounted at one end of said floor to serve as a primary target at which balls 7 are tossed; a pain ofipagalleh connebtcd switches artangfifi to be actuated sue'cesSi-yely by a ball passing through. the basket, a single switch arranged: to. be aetuate'dfby a ball paseingthrough said: floor opening, thepassage-of a; ball through said basket representing a field goal by; the pktyerwho tos'bed iheball, .an'd th'o passhge ofi a ball through said flobz: openingv replgesenti'ng a foul committed :hy an opponent, means couneoting said last-mentiohed switch. in parallelflr elhtion with. said first-mentioned switches, ah-elebteically operable counter, means connectin g said eounter in circuit with all of said switches, whereby'said counter is opezated twicefiwhen a balk posses through -'s a.id basket aod is operted dnce when a ball passe; theou'gh aid fioor openiog, affoul'member mounted in 'proiii nity to sa idbasket; the irikii1g ofsaid foul member representing a foil "otiimitted Bythe player who, tossed the'baH-fh-fdfl; Eouhte}, agid means operable by; a ball; 'stziking Said: foul: menthen to. actuate said fool-I 808,147 Edwards e.. Dec. 26, 1905 1,116,555 Brewster l- NOV. 10, 1914 1,221,803 Iohnston Apr, 3, 1917 1,507,343 Degenhandt-ouee Sept 2, 1 924 1557:1959 Dilnne Min. 23, 1926 1=,995,872 Ukah avage Man 26, 1935- 2040228 Whiteley May 12', 1936 2,192,430 s, 1g40 2,257,934 7; 1941 2,413,952 7, 1941 2,433,224 23, 194' 2,535,061 '.;-12, 1950 

